Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuit: Get the Right Attorney

Update: Panera Faces Second Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Caffeinated ‘Charged Lemonade’

December 14, 2023: Another lawsuit has been filed against Panera Bread Company on behalf of the family of someone who allegedly died from a cardiac arrest after drinking the restaurant’s Charged Lemonade, according to Deltaplex News [1.].

The complaint alleges that 46-year-old Dennis Brown, who suffered from a chromosomal disorder, had consumed at least 3 Charged Lemonades at a Panera restaurant in Florida and later died while he was walking home.

The suit further claims that Panera marketed its plant-based Charged Lemonades as taking traditional lemonade to the next level with “clean caffeine” as an instant energy drink derived from guarana and green coffee extract and that the “unregulated beverages” were “offered side-by-side with all of the store’s non-caffeinated and/or less caffeinated drinks; they were not advertised as an ‘energy drink’ nor were there any warnings to consumers,” according to the lawsuit.

“Accordingly, Dennis consumed the Panera Charged Lemonade, reasonably confident it was a traditional lemonade containing a reasonable amount of caffeine safe for him to drink,” the complaint states.

“Upon information and belief, during his ninety minutes at PBC, Dennis refilled his charged lemonade two additional times. Dennis had a known habit of drinking three beverages in a row.”

Brown was found unresponsive on the sidewalk and pronounced dead at the scene on October 9.

Panera Issues New Warning on Charged Lemonades

Panera in late October 2023 issued warnings and added signage on menus for the highly caffeinated “charged lemonade” beverages, advising customers that the drinks contain “about as much caffeine as [Panera’s] Dark Roast Coffee,” and has cautioned customers to “use in moderation,”.

With disclaimers that it is “not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.” The popular fast-casual chain issued the warnings after a similar lawsuit alleged that a woman died after drinking a Panera Charged Lemonade earlier in the year.

Family of College Student Sues Panera Over Charged Lemonade Death

A week before Panera issued its updated warnings, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against the company in Philadelphia in connection with the same caffeinated beverages after the family of a 21-year-old University of Penn student died of cardiac arrest after drinking Panera Charged Lemonade.

At age 5, Sarah Katz was diagnosed with Congenital Long QT Syndrome Type 1, which can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms due to potassium ion channels in the heart not working properly, disrupting the heart’s electrical activity.

“She was very aware of her health,” Katz’s roommate and friend Victoria Conway said. “She was very vigilant to avoid caffeine. She never drank coffee.”

At the time Katz drank the Charged Lemonade, the beverage was not advertised by Panera as an “energy drink,” according to the lawsuit.

Lawsuit Alleges Panera Charged Lemonade Responsible for 2nd Death: NBC News Video

Caffeine Overdose Symptoms

Several different types of symptoms occur in people who are overdosing on caffeine. Some symptoms may not immediately alert you that you’ve had too much caffeine because they may not seem serious. These may include:

• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Insomnia
• Headache
• Fever
• Irritability

Other symptoms are more severe and call for immediate medical treatment. These more serious symptoms of caffeine overdose include:

• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Chest pain
• Irregular or fast heartbeat
• Uncontrollable muscle movements
• Convulsions

How Much Caffeine Does Panera Charged Lemonade Contain?

A regular-sized order of Panera’s charged lemonade contains 13 milligrams of caffeine per ounce; however, the nutrition information did not previously account for possible ice dilution in its original nutrition descriptions on menus.

The 30-ounce large-size charged lemonade was previously listed on Panera’s menu as containing 390 milligrams at the time of the first lawsuit, which is just 10 milligrams less than the FDA’s recommended daily maximum adult consumption amount of caffeine. The Panera menu now states the same drink contains 237 mg of caffeine.

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FAQs

Can I include claims for missed work and lost wages in the lawsuit if I became ill after drinking Panera Charged Lemonade?

Yes, if you had to miss work due to illness or injury caused by consuming Panera Charged Lemonade, you can seek compensation for lost wages as part of your lawsuit. This can include both past lost income and any future earnings if your ability to work is affected long-term.

Can I still file a lawsuit if I consumed Panera Charged Lemonade but did not seek immediate medical attention?

Yes, you can still file a lawsuit, but it may be more challenging to prove your case without immediate medical documentation. It’s important to gather any available evidence, such as symptoms you experienced, witness statements, and any delayed medical treatment you received, to support your claim.

Can I file a claim if my child was affected by Panera Charged Lemonade?

Yes, if your child consumed Panera Charged Lemonade and suffered adverse effects, you can file a claim on their behalf. Children may be more sensitive to high levels of caffeine, and any harm they suffered could form the basis for a lawsuit.

See the other food poisoning lawsuits our attorneys have covered.

Get a Free Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Food Poisoning Litigation Group at Schmidt Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new injury and death cases in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one was injured by Panera Charged Lemonade, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a Panera Charged Lemonade Lawsuit and our lawyers can help.